Mystery was once a pup padding beside him, and that was how he had seen her, until now. Her eyes shine as brightly as they every did, but she has a seriousness to her that hadn't been there before.. Or had he just not noticed it?

"Grandfather," she said as they stepped through the underbrush side by side, "I think it's time you chose a mate."

This took the older male by surprise. He didn't have need of a mate, he was fine on his own... He had fathered his 4 lovely puppies, and raised the three beautiful girls, who had gone on to make families of their own. He looked at Mystery, questioningly. "My granddaughter, why would you have me do that? I don't think I could love another wolf as I loved.." his words fell short before he could say the name of his one-time mate. Mystery had not know him, or loved him. Bon-Hwa was the only grandfather she had.

Mystery saw the hurt in his eyes, but she pressed on. He needed to understand. "Grandfather, you must choose a mate and become our pack leader... For mother, and Ae-Cha with her pups, and for me. We are afraid. If Mi-Hana chooses Suicide as her mate.... I could not live under him, Grandfather. Mother or Aunt Ae-Cha either. YOU are stronger than him, but you must take a mate to lead a pack."

"Has Mi-Hana suggested she might take him as a mate?" He raised an eyebrow. It seemed unlikely. They had spent nights together, even a season or so when Mi-Hana's pups were born, but none of his children had ever seemed interested in taking a life mate, at least that was the impression he got.

"Well, no," she admitted, "but we wonder if she might make her decision without warning. She will go and see him tonight, and if he fathers pups again... " She shrugged uncertainly.